Parsley

Interesting how the same pundits who have accused Simpson of handling are the same ones who applauded Balotelli for impudently finishing with the same body part earlier in the season. Since when was a shoulder, let alone one at point blank range, classed as a handball? Bias towards the mythic top teams, absolutely sick of it.

Don't really blame Perch for the Reina thing tbh, it's merely a symptom of the modern game. Any professional footballer would have done the exact same and, as has been already mentioned, Reina may well have got off scot free with a red card offense if Perch hadn't reacted the way he did. This utopian idea that pundits seem to have of players shrugging off attempted headbutts is just laughable these days. Anyways, an impervious performance: him and Williamson were both absolutely fantastic. A clean sheet against Liverpool without Colo or Saylor really is an achievement.

April Fool's mate.

Sessegnon really is a cracking player. Sunderland would do very well to keep hold of him next season.

Ba could easily fetch upwards of £20 million in today's market on current form. Definitely in the interest of the board to negotiate a new contract if this clause does exist.

I think Spurs' ability to reject bids for Modric and the like comes primarily from being around the Champions' League spots and being competitive with the top teams. Until we reach that stage I'd say we're unavoidably vulnerable to losing our best players.

I dunno like, as much as I dislike the current board I can't help feeling that every other Premier League club below the 'top six' are ultimately in the same boat with regards to transfer policy. It's just a sad indictment of where English football is at at the moment imo.

I thought he put in a decent shift actually, was better than Jonas imo who barely found a man all night.

Made Kompany look like a mug on more than one occasion. Easily our most enterprising offensive option.

Thought Taylor, even from open play, was miles better than Simpson last night.

Vuckic to step up to the plate. You know it makes sense.

What a ball for Best when he volleyed over. Sensational pass.

Not exactly been given quality service has he? Until we start creating more as a team, I'll reserve judgement.

Am I the only one who thinks it's a disgrace that Arsenal are in Pot 1 for the Champions' League draw? I know it's to do with past performance, UEFA coefficients etc but I think it's pretty heinous that a side who have scraped in through the qualifiers gets an easy ride into the next round whereas Dortmund for instance, the German champions, are in Pot 4. As it stands, we have the same teams dominating the latter stages on the grounds of past merits rather than domestic performance and, for me at least, it's doing little to keep the competition fresh and interesting.

Barton and Nolan were both offered new contracts though. Either the owners realised Nolan and Barton were valuable first-team players and offered them extensions deemed financially suitable for the club given their ages or they were derisory, token offers designed to show the fans that they tried, but Nolan and Barton asked for too much. Until the details of the contracts that were offered to Kevin and Joey in January are known for definite then it's anyone's guess where the blame lies. Although, given that talks with Simpson have supposedly broken down, I'm slightly inclined to go with the latter..

Nasri signs for City.

Just cannot see the logic in going to QPR at all.

He wasn't that bad like. His movement was decent I thought, made plenty of good runs off the man and was the only real player that gave us an attacking outlet in that respect. His end product wasn't there today admittedly, but I reckon it'll come with time.

Thought he was the pick of the midfield.

Disgraceful tackle that.

Cabaye's been very good imo.

No chance Simpson will go to QPR. His stock's definitely risen since coming here, could easily feature for most midtable sides imo.

I just hope we don't Hassel the Baink too much for this one.

Scored a belter against us in the Championship I seem to remember. Would fit the bill I'd say - affordable, young, pacy, bit of flair to his game - and tbh, I'd rather spend £5 million on Maynard than 8 million euros on that Maiga guy who was mooted around earlier.

That dive when he was up against Ryan Taylor up near the corner flag was absolutely disgraceful. Not even the faintest touch and he still bought a free-kick off the ref. Am sure he'll improve but wasn't that impressed today tbh. Quick and tricky but was up against a poor set of fullbacks and his end product was nothing short of woeful. Reminded me a bit of Jonas when he first arrived actually.